Classic Doctor Who Episode Summary

The Androids of Tara - Tom Baker

The tracer brings the TARDIS to the planet Tara. Romana finds the fourth segment disguised as part of a statue but is then taken prisoner by Count Grendel of Gracht.Grendel is plotting to seize the Taran throne from the rightful heir, Prince Reynart, and has mistaken Romana for an android duplicate of the Prince's betrothed, Princess Strella, to whom she bears a remarkable resemblance. The Doctor is meanwhile captured by Prince Reynart's men Zadek and Farrah and taken to his hunting lodge, where he is forced to repair an android double of the Prince to act as a decoy for potential assassins.Grendel then kidnaps the Prince, and the Doctor has to modify the android so that it can be crowned in his place. Grendel commissions an android duplicate of Romana equipped with a lethal ray and contrives for the Doctor to meet her. K9, recognising this as a trap, saves his master. Romana has meanwhile escaped from Castle Gracht, and she rescues the Doctor from Grendel's men. Grendel destroys the Reynart android and recaptures Romana.

The Doctor gains access to the Castle by rowing across the moat and, having first found and pocketed the fourth segment, manages to thwart Grendel's plans to seize power. The Prince's men then attack the Castle in force. Romana saves Strella from being killed and the Doctor engages Grendel in a swordfight. Grendel, realising that he has been defeated, dives into the moat and escapes to fight another day.